Yarn breakage detector



D. KELLOGG ET AL 2,427,055

YARN BREAKAGE DETECTOR Filed March 9, 1945 L L L Ll null! ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 9, 1947 YARN BREAKAGE DETECTOR William D. Kellogg, Amsterdam, N. Y., and Richard F. Eshleman, West Chester, Pa., assignors to Aveco, Incorporated, Amsterdam, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 9, 1945, Serial No. 581,870

13 Claims. (01. 66163) This invention relates to an arrangement for detecting yarn breakage adaptable for use in conjunction with winding and twisting machines, and is especially valuable for the detecting of yarn breakage in warp sheets, such as those occurring in tricot or warp knitting machines, beaming machines, looms and the like. The advantages and objects of the invention will be apparent from the drawing and description thereof hereinafter.

In the drawing illustrative of the invention,

Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a modification;

Figure 5 is an end elevation of the modification of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the modification of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a side elevation of another modification, partially in cross section;

Figure 8 is a plan, partially in cross section, of a modification of Figure '7;

Figure 9 shows a front elevation of another modification; and

- Figure 10 shows an end elevation of a modification of Figure 9.

In general, the basic unit of the detector comprises a switch element of an electric circuit made of two separable electro-conductive members arranged side by side and normally urged into contact except when a yarn passes therebetween. At least one of the members is mounted resiliently or pivot/ally, so that it may be sprung apart from the adjacent member to permit passage of the yarn in the gap thereby formed between them.

As shown in the first embodiment (Figures 1 to 3), the detector is constructed with a plurality of such basic units adapted to handle a plurality of yarns traveling side by side such as in a warp sheet. Each unit comprises a projecting memher 2 in the form of a flat strip or plate adjacent a reed-like projecting member 3. As shown in Figure 3, the reed-like member comprises a shank 4 and a laterally offset yarn-engaging portion 5. The tip 6 is bent back so-that it returns to the plane of the shank 4. This assists in the threading up by assuring that the yarn will be slid between the reed-like member 3 and the plate 2. Both the plate 2 and the reed-like member 3 are of electro-conductive material, such as metal. The plate 2 is preferably rigid, whereas the reed-like element 8 has a resilient shank (e. g. elements 3 may be made of spring steel) and is so mounted that the outer portion 5 springs into contact with the plate 2 when the yarn therebetween is removed. All of the units are mounted by securing the reed-like members 3 in one electro-conductive support 1 and the plates 2 in an electro-conductive support 8. These two supports are secured together by insulating fastenings, as shown at 9, and an insulating gasket I6 is provided thereb'etween. The two supports 1 and 8 constitute the terminals of an electric circuit comp-rising a suitable source of power H and a relay 12, the relay serving to open a master or control switch and thus to stop the motor or other driving device for the machine which is being served the yarns under consideration. As shown, both sides of the plate 2 may be used, one for each of two adjacent yarns by providing an additional reed-like element 3a of the same construction as the element 3 but arranged on the other side of the plate and offset from the element 3 in the direction of yarn travel, so that the elements do not interfere with each other. As shown in Figure 3, the member 3a is'arranged with its laterally offset portion 5 directed oppo site to that of the member 3. This arrangement economizes on space by reducing the number of plates 2 to one-half of what would otherwise be required if ony one face of the plate 2 could be used. The relationship of the yarn is shown by the lines Y in Figure 1.

Referring to Figures 4 to 6 inclusive, a plurality of resilient reed-like elements iii are mounted at various angles. The two outer sets of reeds are set in supports l6 and I1 respectively so that they converge and intersect at S adjacent the plane of the yarn Y. The central set of reeds also passes through the common intersection as viewed in Figure 5 and is mounted in a support I8 which is suitably insulated by the gaskets I9 and 20 and whatever fastening means is used including the connecting pin 2i. Each set of reeds is laterally offset from adjacent reeds in the other sets and they are so arranged that adjacent reeds normally contact each other in pairs adjacent the plane of yarn travel except when yarn is inserted therebetween. As in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, breakage of the yarn allows the two reeds between which it has passed to make contact and thereby initiate stoppage of the machine through the electric relay.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, a modification is shown in which the electro-conductive members are arranged in a fashion similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 3, but the reed-like member 3', instead of being resilient is mounted in a recess 22 having somewhat greater depth and width to permit lateral swinging of the member 3 within the recess. The member 3 is pivotally mounted on an axis which is inclined from the vertical so that the upper end of a pivot such as the pin 23 extends outwardly and also laterally toward the adjacent plate 2. Preferably, the pivot pin 23 has a forced fit in the member 3 and when it is seated in the base of its ,re-

ceiving bore 24 within the support '1, the botq tom of the member 3 is not in contact with the bottom of the recess 22. By this construction the member 3 by gravitational effect tends to swing into contact with the adjacent plate 2, and passage of the yarn between the members 2 and 3 serves to prevent such contact. If desired, resilient means, such as a leaf spring 25 may be secured along one face of the recess 22 to increase the g avitational urge of the member 3 ,into contact with the adjacent member 2. iIJhe member 3a is similarly mounted but with .its pivot inclined so that its upper end extends laterally in the direction opposite to that of the pivot fer the member 3,so that the member 3a is normally urged in the other direction to the djace t p t Figure 9 showsamodification in which a pluralityof fixed sley points -30 are arranged alter- ,n'ately between a plurality of pivotally mounted sley points 3|. a-Divotal axes '32 which are offset from the center *lineof such points away irom the adjacent fixed sley point g3!) against which it is desired to'have the points :3l make contact normally. A recess 3318 provided in the supporting block lo forreoeivingeach ofthepivotally mounted sley points til and a detent 3.4 fits in the upper portion of :the .recess to prevent the respective sley points fromswingingbeyond the vertical in a direction .away from the adjacent fixed point 30. .previous embodiments, the supporting blocks 10 and 18B forthe different sets of sley points are connected :to opposite terminals ,of an electric circuit, socthat upon breakage of a thread, the

associated pivotally mounted sley point will swing ,ures;1 to dainclusive are preferred, since they, do

.not rely ongravity or relativelyshiftable parts, thereby having greater reliablity and durability ,and requiring less servicing.

It will be understood that changes and variations may be made ithout, departing from the spirit and scope of the invention-as defined by the appended claims.

We claim: 1.'A yarn breakage detector for textile machines comprising at least two setsofelectro- The points :3 are mounted on As in The detectors of the present conductive projecting members, those of one set being arranged alternately with those of the other set, each of the members of at least one set being of resilient construction and being so disposed as to normally make contact with only one of the adjacent members of the other set butso as to be separable therefrom .by passage of a yarn therebetween without making contact with the other adjacent member of the other set.

2. A yarn breakage detector for textile machines comprising at least two sets of electroconductive projecting members, those of one set being arranged in a common plane intersecting vat acute angle the plane of the other set and being'laterally offset so that they are arranged alternately with those of the other set, each of the members of at least one set being of resilient construction and being so disposed as to normally make contact with only one of the adjacent members of the other set but so as to be separable therefrom by passage of a yarn ,therebetween without making contact with the other adjacent member of the other set.

3. A yarn .breakage detector for textile machines comprising at least two sets of electroconductive projecting members, the members of one set being arranged generally parallel to and alternately with those of theother set, each of ,the members ,of at least .one set being of resilient construction and being so disposed as to normally make contact with only one of the adjacent members of the other set but so asto be separable therefrom by passage of a yard there between without making contact with the other adjacent member of the other'set. e

4, A yarn breakage detector for textile machines comprising a plurality'of spaced substantially parallel flat strips vof electroconductive material projecting outwardly from one face of an electro-conductive supporting member, a second electro-conductive supporting .member insulated from the first and having a face adjacent the aforementioned face of the first supporting member, said strips being out of contact with and overhanging the face of the second supporting member, a plurality of generally parallel freed-like elementsof resilient electro conductive material projecting from the face of the second supporting member into the spaces between the strips and being so arranged therein that .each

element normally contacts an adjacent strip and is separable therefrom by passage of a yarn vtherebetween without making contact with the other adjacent strip.

5. A yarn breakage detector for textile machines comprising aplurality of spaced substantially parallel flat strips of electro-conductive material projecting outwardly from one face of an electro-conductive supporting member," a second electro-conductive supporting member insulated from the first and having a face adjacent the aforementioned'face of, the first supporting member, said strips being out of contact with and, overhanging. the faceof the second supporting member, a plurality of generally parallel reed-like elements, of resilient .electro-conductive material projecting'from the v faceof the second supporting member into the spacesbetween the strips and being so arranged therein that each element normally contacts an adjacent strip and is separable therefrom by passage of a yarn therebetween without making contact with the other adjacent strip, the outer end of each of the elements being bent awayfrom the nearest adjacent strip.

6. A yarn breakage detector for textile machines comprising a plurality of spaced substantially parallel flat strips of electro-conductive material projecting outwardly from one face of an electro-conductive supporting member, a second electro-conductive supporting member insulated from the first and having a face adjacent the aforementioned face of the first supporting member, said strips being out of contact with and overhanging the face of the second supporting member, two parallel reed-like elements of resilient electro-conductive material projecting from the second supporting member and disposed between each pair of adjacent strips and being offset from one another in a general direction parallel to the plane of the adjacent strip, said elements being so arranged therein that each of them normally contacts an opposite one of the adjacent strips and is separable therefrom by passage of a yarn therebetween without making contact with the other adjacent strip.

7. A yarn breakage detector for textile machines comprising a plurality of spaced substantially parallel fiat strips of electro-conductive material projecting outwardly from one face of an electro-conductive supporting member, a second electro-conductive supporting member insulated from the first and having a face adjacent the aforementioned face of the first supporting member, said strips being out of contact with and overhanging the face of the second supporting member, two parallel reed-like elements of resilient electro-conductive material projecting from the second supporting member and disposed between each pair of adjacent strips and being offset from one another in a general direction parallel to the plane of the adjacent strip, each of said elements having an outer portion offset laterally from its shank in a direction opposite to that of the offset portion of the other element so that each element normally contacts an adjacent strip opposite to that contacted by the other element between the pair of adjacent strips and is separable therefrom by passage of a yarn therebetween without making contact with the other adjacent strips.

8. A yarn breakage detector for textile machines comprising at least two sets of electroconductive projecting members, those of one set being arranged alternately with those of the other set, each of the members of at least one set being constructed and arranged so as to normally move toward and make contact with only one of the adjacent members of the other set but so as to be separable therefrom by passage of a yarn therebetween without making contact with the other adjacent member of the other set.

9. A yarn breakage detector for textile machines comprising two projecting electro-conductive members arranged side by side so that a portion of one is normally in contact with the other, at least one of said members being pivotally mounted on an axis inclined upwardly and laterally toward the other so as to be normally urged gravitationally toward the other, whereby they may be moved out of contact by yarn passing therebetween and will again make contact when the yarn is removed.

10. A yarn breakage detector for textile machines comprising a plurality of spaced substantially parallel flat strips of electro-conductive material projecting outwardly from one face of an electro-conductive supporting member, a second electro-conductive supporting member insulated from the first and having a face adjacent the aforementioned face of the first supporting memher, said strips being out of contact with and overhanging the face of the second supporting member, a plurality of generally parallel reed-like elements of electro-conductive material projecting from the face of the second supporting member into the spaces between the strips and being pivotally mounted on axes inclined upwardly and outwardly toward an adjacent strip so that each element normally gravitates to and contacts an adjacent strip and is separable therefrom by passage of a yarn therebetween without making contact with the other adjacent strip.

11. A yarn breakage detector for textile ma chines comprising a plurality of spaced substan tially parallel fiat strips of electro-conductive material projecting outwardly from one face of an electro-conductive supporting member, a second electro-conductive supporting member insulated from the first and having a face adjacent the aforementioned face of the first supporting member, said strips being out of contact with and overhanging the face of the second supporting member, two parallel reed-1ike elements of electro-conductive material projecting from the second supporting member and disposed between each pair of adjacent strips and being offset from one another in a general direction parallel to the plane of the adjacent strip, each of said elements being pivotally mounted on axes inclined upwardly and laterally toward opposite ones of the adjacent strips, so that the respective elements normally gravitate to and contact an opposite one of the adjacent strips and is separable therefrom by passage of a yarn therebetween without making contact with the other adjacent strip.

12. A yarn breakage detector for textile machines comprising two sets of projecting electroconductive members arranged side by side with the members of one set alternating with those of the other set, the members of one set being mounted in an unbalanced condition on a pivotal axis so that each is normally and independently urged gravitationally toward and into contact with an adjacent member of the other set, whereby they may be moved out of contact by yarns passing therebetween and will again make contact when the yarns are removed.

13. A yarn breakage detector for textile machines comprising at, least two sets of electroconductive projecting members, those of one set being arranged alternately with those of the other set, each of the members of at least one set being resiliently pressed toward one of the adjacent members of the other set so as normally to make contact therewith but so as to be separable therefrom by passage of a yarn therebetween without making contact with the other adjacent member of the other set.

WILLIAM D. KELLOGG. RICHARD F. ESHLEMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Certificate of Correction Patent N 0. 2,427,055. September 9, 1947. WILLIAM D. KELLOGG ET AL.

It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 6, line 59, after the word and period set. and before the signatures to the specification insert the following claim 14. A yarn breakage detector for textile machines comprising two proj ecting electro-conductive members arranged side by side so that a portion of one is normally in contact with the other, at least one of said members being resiliently pressed toward the other whereby they may be moved out of contact by a yarn passing therebetween and will again make contact when the yarn is removed, said members being mounted in different parts of a unitary support separated by an insulating material.

in the heading to the printed specification, line 8, for 13 Claims read 14 Claims; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of October, A. D. 1947.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Gammz'ssz'oner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,427,055. September 9, 1947.

WILLIAM D. KELLOGG ET AL.

It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 6, line 59, after the word and period set. and before the signatures to the specification insert the following claim 14. A yarn breakage detector for textile machines comprising two projecting electro-conductive members arranged side by side so that a portion of one is normally in contact with the other, at least one of said members being resiliently pressed toward the other whereby they may be moved out of contact by a yarn passing therebetween and will again make contact when the yarn is removed, said members being mounted in difierent parts of a unitary support separated by an insulating material.

in the heading to the printed specification, line 8, for 13 Claims read 14 Claims; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of October, A. D. 1947.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant (Jammz'ssz'oner 0 f Patents. 

